Henry Sears became a billionaire for several reasons.
It was Henry's brain and Roebuck's money that started the business. Henry had the ideas but Roebuck had the money to invest.
Henry practically invented the mail order business.
He negotiated a huge rail shipping contract. This meant he had cheaper shipping than most anyone else.
He instituted his Revolving Charge (at a very high interest) long before most did.
He paid the least for his goods.
I think when companies who made products either fell on hard times and had to sell cheaper, or made a new invention or change at the plant allowing them to make and sell cheaper goods?
They sold to Sears, because Sears would buy all of them, today, for cash.
But it was just a lot less cash.
Whether Fulton, Craftsman, Dunlap or Companion, tools were paid less for at wholesale when they sold to Sears.
The quality may be the same because the toolmaker was up against the wall and had to sell for less.
Or they figured out a way to make a similar thing cheaper, and could sell to Sears and still make a profit. These were nearly always lesser quality goods.
The Danielson wrench shown appears to be pretty normal quality. So Danielson probably had to liquidate first quality inventory to Sears at a loss to cover some expense he couldn't cover any other way.
Or, there had been a manufacturing revolution in crescent wrenches that made it possible to sell first quality goods dramatically cheaper.
Or, Danielson had found a way to cut corners at the expense of quality, and lower his wholesale price.
The main point being, Sears paid less.
There was always a reason when someone sold to Sears.
yours Scott
